Thailand Live Wednesday 16 Nov 2011

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Crocodile rumours run wild during Thailand's floods

Photo : Prasert Thepsri

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Lam Lukka residents destroy big-bag floodwall

About 200 angry Lam Lukka residents demolished a section of the big-bag floodwall near their community Wednesday afternoon.

The protesters removed the big sand bags on Phaholyothin Road near the Air Operations Control Department at 2:45 pm.

The protesters destroyed about 10-metre-long section of the floodwall, which blocked floodwater from the Lam Lukka Intersection.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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Ministry to Get Tough against Overpricing

As the demand for construction materials is expected to sharply increase after floods subside, the Commerce Ministry has threatened severe punishment for unscrupulous traders exploiting the situation to raise goods prices.

Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Yanyong Puangrat stated that expected rising demand for construction materials for repairs of damaged infrastructure after the floodwater recedes has given rise to concerns over possible price hikes.

Yanyong further said that the prices of products used in home repairs should not increase since their manufacturing plants are not affected by the floods and they can still continue normal operation.

He noted that just sand and bricks are in short supply right now and asked manufacturers to increase production to keep up with the rising demand.

The permanent secretary added that construction materials have been added to the price control list. He warned that anyone found overpricing the products will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Customers who witness unfair pricing or hoarding activities are encouraged to report to the Internal Trade Department via hotline 1569.

Meanwhile, Nut Charitchana, deputy managing director of Marketing for Home Product Center, or Home Pro, said although the company has postponed the Home Pro Expo scheduled for November 15 to 20 at Impact Muang Thong Thani, special discounts will be offered on construction materials after the floods recede to help ease the plights of flood victims.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-16

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Bank Of England Introduces New £50 Banknote

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SHOPPING

Central Latphrao re-opens on Nov 18

The Nation

Central Pattana Plc is re-opening Central Plaza Latphrao on Nov 18.

Until Nov 24, service hours will be shortened by one hour to 10am to 9pm. From Nov 25 onwards, the normal service hour (10am-10pm) will resume.

Flood level at Lat Phrao Intersection is receding. While flood level is 15-20cm in front of the shopping complex and 30cm at some points, Phaholyothin Road nearby is dry.

The company is reviewing whether Central Plaza Ram Indra would be re-opened after Nov 18.

Meanwhile, the company urged for the registration of vehicles parked at its properties in Pinklao, Rattanathibet, Rama III and Chaeng Wattana. Registration must be done within Nov 17, or the unregistered vehicles would be moved. For more information, call 02 -635-1111.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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495 bank branches closed

The Nation

A number of closed bank branches continues to fall, to 495 as of Nov 16 against the peak of 631 on Nov 8.

According to Bank of Thailand, 15 bank branches in Bangkok were re-opened, mostly located in Buddhamondhol, Phetkasem, Tha Phra, Lat Phrao and Vatcharaphol areas. Of total, the number of closed branches in Bangkok reached 242 today, 137 in Pathum Thani, 58 in Nonthaburi, 28 in Nakhon Pathom, 14 in Ayutthaya, 12 in Samut Sakhon, 3 in Nakhon Sawan and 1 in Chai Nat.

While some ATMs in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom and Nonthaburi resume services, more in Samut Sakhon are unplugged. Yet, the number of all unplugged ATMs fell by 80 from yesterday to 5,268 today, including 2,196 in Bangkok.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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FROC: phones off the hook in pic seen on social media only meant to be used to make outgoing calls via #Posttoday /TANN

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RT @tulsathit: Kaewsan: If Thaksin couldn't be stopped now, nothing will ever be able to stop him in future.

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SET index closed at 997.11, up 12.14; Bt/USD30.70; GBP48.38; AUD30.98; EUR41.35; CAD29.82; HKD3.94; SGD23.62; JPY39.64

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ASEAN SUMMIT

Thailand to restore confidence and commitment following flood

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is looking forward to using the 19th Asean Summit in Bali as a platform to restore confidence and reaffirm the conntry's commitment for rebuilding in the wake of the flood crisis.

"In the face of flood crisis, I will take the opportunity to restore the international confidence in Thailand," she said yesterday in a televised programme.

Yingluck said during her meeting with foreign leaders, she would outline the country's longterm plan for reconstruction.

As Asean neighbours also faced flooding, she said she would urge for the regional cooperation on flood control and disaster mitigation.

She said her government was grateful for assistance on flood relief from the United States, China, South Korea and Japan.

The government would work with Japan, the largest investor in floodhit areas, in order to prevent a repeat of the catastrophic flood, she said.

Yingluck is scheduled to leave for Bali at 9pm.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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Flood death toll rises to 564

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department yesterday reported the flood toll at 564 deaths and two missing persons.

Flood continued to ravage in 142 districts of 20 provinces, affecting 5,305,559 people, the department.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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TOURISM

Floods shave off Bt35bn in tourism revenue

Kasem Chanathinat

Nation News Agency

Floods will shave off tourism revenue by over Bt35 billion, as tourist arrivals drop by 15-20 per cent on warnings against travelling to Bangkok issued by over 30 countries.

Kongkrit Hiranyakit, president of Tourism Council of Thailand’s policy and planning, said that Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is the gateway to Thailand for 70 per cent of tourist arrivals. A drop in tourist arrivals results in a loss of Bt25 billion in tourism revenue.

He also noted that domestic tourism also drops 30 per cent due to road damage. Meanwhile, tourism activities were cancelled. These will shave off tourism revenue by Bt10 billion.

"It’s important that the government assures the world that Suvarnabhumi Airport would be protected against floods, with measures to ensure safe transportation from the airport to tourist destinations," he said, asking the government to make direct contacts with the countries issuing the travel warning as well as major international tour agents.

He also urged for soft loans to tourism business operators and compensation to affected workers.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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Police to start water patrol in flooded areas (Thonburi/Bangkae/Pasi Charoen/Bang Bua Thong/BangYai/Samut Sakhon)

Interim Region 1 Provincial Police chief: Samut Prakarn cops being trained on how to drive boats.

/TANN

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Eastern Ring Road Fully Reopens to Traffic

All types of vehicles are now permitted to run on the Eastern Outer Ring Road from Bang Na บางนา to Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya.

However, there has been a report of some traffic congestion near the Thanyaburi Tollgate due the flooded segment of the road.

Even though the Eastern Outer Ring Road Bang Na-Bang Pa-in, officially known as Highway 9, is now open to traffic, there has been a report of some congestion near the Thanyaburi Tollgate as some sections of the road are submerged under 25 to 30 centimeters of water and are full of potholes.

There has been a snarl-up of about two kilometers long.

Police were directing traffic through the area, especially for small vehicles which are being diverted to special lanes.

There were also severe traffic jams on the merging lane to Paholyothin Road in Wang Noi District of Ayutthaya Province.

The 55th to the 58th kilometer of the road is under 30 to 50 centimeters of water.

Highway police were dispatched to redirect traffic in the area.

Paholyothin Road from Wang Noi District to Bangkok is now almost completely dry as floodwater has receded by almost one meter.

The route is now accessible to vehicles of all sizes even though some traffic lanes are still under 20 to 30 centimeters of water.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-16

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RT @tulsathit: Sondhi L on amnesty: PAD definitely won't stand still. (via ASTV)

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UN Chief Uses Thai Floods To Press For Movement On Climate Change

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RT @KristieKenney: She's here! #ClintonBKK http://twitter.com/KristieKenney/status/136767657994223617/photo/1

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Opposition leader lashes out at attempted Thaksin pardon

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3G LICENSING

Licensing close to materialise

Sirivish Toomgum

The Nation

The board of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will finalise the draft spectrum management plan in its next meeting on Wednesday.

NBTC spokesperson Supinya Klangnarong said on Wednesday that the draft is almost completed, except the issue of the periods the spectrum owners would be required to return their spectra to NBTC for a re-allocation purpose. Such period will be finalised in the next meeting. Then, the NBTC will put the draft for a public hearing soon.

The spectrum management plan will be the basis for NBTC’s spectrum licensing. The NBTC has developed the draft, based on the existing one prepared by the now defunct National Telecommunications Commission.

Telecom operators have been waiting for the NBTC to auction the 2.1GHz spectrum licences to provide the 3G wireless broadband service and to pave way for them to exit the existing state concession system.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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Joint Press Conference with Secretary Clinton and PM Yingluck. #ClintonBKK pic.http://t.co/D9gy9uLQ/via@KristieKenney

Secretary Clinton says we are "proud to stand with Thailand" as you face devastating floods #ClintonBKK/via@KristieKenney

"the United States stands firmly behind the civilian government of Thailand". SecClinton says at press con w Thai PM Yingluck. #ClintonBKK/via@KristieKenney

Sec Clinton offers condolences to Thai flood victims. Says US will provide new flood recovery assistance./via@KristieKenney

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The next few days are "golden" days for drainage, says Dr Seri as CP river levels fall. Upriver, Bang Sai & beyond, river below its banks./via@terryfrd

Unfortunately, says Dr Seri, river still above its banks in Pathum Thani & that is bad news for Nonthaburi side which is simply awful./via@terryfrd

Dr Seri & Darin were in Nonthaburi today were flooding looks worse than it every did on BKK side. Bang Bua Thong has only dropped 40cm./via@terryfrd

Lower river levels will help Nonthaburi residents, but Dr Seri expects another month or more of suffering there./via@terryfrd

Water levels dropped slightly outside both Bang Chan& Lat Krabang ind estates. And if you live in inner city, sleep & dream well, Dr S says/via@terryfrd

Dr Seri is not at all worried about the gaps opened by residents in the big bag barrier. Easily taken care of by city pumps, he said./via@terryfrd

VR road will dry quickly, Dr Seri says, but areas around Chaeng Wattana not so lucky. Lot of water left there./via@terryfrd

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TR @nationphoto: PM Yingluck Shinawatra and H.E. Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton at Santi Maitri Building, Govt Housevia@Aim_NT

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to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 17 Nov 2011

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